school fees in year-round schools; $220 graduation expenses; $45 holidays, birthdays; $350 day camp or combined $550 ove
Foster Care Maintenance Payments
Updated 06/19/08
Foster Care Maintenance Payments Individuals often attempt to compare the reimbursement payments made to foster parents in various states. Our experience has shown that, while comparison tables have some use, they may be misleading in some instances. Factors affecting the usefulness of strict dollar comparisons include: variation in cost of living in different areas; variation in payments between regions or counties within a state; supplemental payments that may be provided for a variety of expenditures; and variation in criteria used to determine different levels of care that receive higher reimbursements. To provide a fuller picture of the rates being provided, we have prepared a table listing basic maintenance payments at various age levels. Amounts of additional payments are footnoted, when available; the absence of such payments does not mean they are not made. Since many states use a daily rate, we have computed a monthly rate using the formula (daily rate) x 365 divided by 12. All rates have been rounded to the nearest dollar. The “effective date” shown for many states is the date those rates were initiated, if known. The “as of date” shown is the date the rates were verified as current. Sources of information are shown on page 5. Whenever possible, we verified rates directly with states or through available current Internet-based information. When those sources were not available, we used the most current of the following: •
The Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA) National Data Analysis System (NDAS): most recent data available is for 2004, based on a survey conducted by the CWLA in 2005. http://ndas.cwla.org/
•
A survey conducted by the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA) in November 2006. Listed as “NAPCWA” in the source list.
For information on the cost of raising a child in different regions of the country, see the annual U.S. Department of Agriculture reports, Expenditures on Children by Families, available at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/ExpendituresonChildrenbyFamilies.htm
Basic Foster Care Maintenance Payment Under age 1 $410 $653
Age 1 $410 $653
Age 2 $410 $653
Age 3 $423 $5802
Age 4 $423 $580
Age 5 $423 $580
Ages 6-8 $434 $580
Age 9 $434 $580
Age 10 $434 $580
Age 11 $434 $580
Age 12 $434 $689
Age 13 $446 $689
Age 14 $446 $689
Age 15 $446 $689
Ages 16+ $446 $689
Eff date 4/02
Ver. date 10/04 10/04
$828 $400
$793 $400
$793 $400
$767 $400
$767 $400
$767 $400
$782 $425
$782 $425
$782 $425
$782 $425
$879 $450
$879 $450
$879 $450
$879 $475
$879 $475
7/06
Arkansas
04/07 04/07
California4
$425
$425
$425
$425
$425
$462
$462
$494
$494
$494
$546
$546
$546
$597
$597
7/01
11/06
$349
$349
$349
$349
$349
$349
$349
$349
$349
$392
$392
$392
$392
$423
$423
$783
$783
$783
$783
$783
$783
$792
$792
$792
$792
$859
$859
$859
$859
$859
Delaware
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
$517
04/07
D.C.
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$827
$899
$899
$899
$899
$899
2005
Florida
$429
$429
$429
$429
$429
$429
$440
$440
$440
$440
$440
$515
$515
$515
$515
7/06
01/07
Georgia
$416
$416
$416
$416
$416
$416
$471
$471
$471
$471
$471
$540
$540
$540
$540
7/05
04/07
Hawaii
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
$529
7/90
04/07
$274
$274
$274
$274
$274
$274
$300
$300
$300
$300
$300
$431
$431
$431
$431
7/04
04/07
$361
$369
$369
$369
$369
$384
$384
$410
$410
$410
$445
$445
$445
$445
$445
1/02
Alabama Alaska1 Arizona3
Colorado
5
Connecticut
Idaho
6
7
Illinois
8
11/05 7/07
1
Alaska’s rate varies by geographic location; the state applies a multiplier of up to 1.42 times the listed rate. Each village is assigned a multiplier Additional payment: Maximum $300 initial clothing, based on documented need.
2
The rate changes at age 31 months. Additional payments may include maximum yearly amounts as follows: $300 emergency clothing; $165 books and school supplies; $165 supplemental school fees in year-round schools; $220 graduation expenses; $45 holidays, birthdays; $350 day camp or combined $550 overnight camp and day camp, or family vacation 3
4 5
Rates at some age levels are slightly higher in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Clara, and Marin.
Additional: $20 respite allowance; the 64 counties have the authority to negotiate rates above the anchor rates and most do. Additional: initial clothing allowance $300 7 Additional payments: Christmas gifts $30; birthday gifts $20; clothing and school fees “based upon the Department’s determination of each child needs.” 8 Additional payments: initial clothing voucher if the child’s clothing is inadequate; transportation/mileage up to $50 per month to support sibling visits; $25 per hour, up to $100, to supervise sibling visits 6
2
01/08
Under Age Age Age Age Age Ages Age Age Age Age Age Age age 1 1 2 3 4 5 6-8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Each county sets an individual scale; there is no State rate. Foster parents can negotiate with their county director
Indiana Iowa9 Kansas Kentucky
10
Maine
Ages 16+
Eff date
Ver. date
7/05
04/07
$454
$454
$454
$454
$454
$454
$474
$474
$474
$474
$523
$523
$523
$523
$525
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
$568
2005
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$599
$660
$660
$660
$660
$660
04/07
$399
2005 11/06
Louisiana
$380
11
Age 15
$365
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$502
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
$913
Maryland
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$735
$750
$750
$750
$750
$750
07/07
08/07
Massachusetts
$520 $433 $585
$520 $433 $585
$520 $433 $585 $325
$520 $433 $585
$520 $433 $585
$520 $433 $585
$546 $433 $585
$546 $433 $585 $355
$546 $433 $585
$546 $433 $585
$546 $433 $681
$565 $535 $681
$565 $535 $681
$565 $535 $699
$565 $535 $699 $400
7/04
10/04 10/04 04/07 2005
$271
$271
$271
$271
$271
$271
$322
$322
$322
$322
$322
$358
$358
$358
$358
07/07
Michigan Minnesota12 Mississippi Missouri13
1/07
05/08
Montana
$450
$450
$542
11/06
Nebraska
$222
$292
$352
2005
Nevada
$592
$592
$682
2003
New Hampshire14
$403
$403
$403
$403
$403
$403
$439
$439
9
$439
$439
$518
$518
$518
$518
$518
7/06
Additional payments: $1 per day per child when a sibling group of 3 or more is placed in the same home; $250 initial clothing allowance; $200 replacement clothing per year; $50 per year school fees; $1 per day transportation for pre-placement or family visits outside the community in which the foster family resides. 10 Additional payments: initial clothing allowance may be authorized up to $100 ages 0-1; $120 ages 1-2; $130 ages 3-4; $180 ages 5-11; $290 ages 12+; annual school clothing allowance $50 ages 3-10; $100 ages 11+; graduation expenses up to $500; Christmas gifts $60; $25 birthday gifts; 11 Maine has two regular foster care maintenance rates, for children with “minimal” needs ($16.50/day) and children with “mild” needs ($30/day). Additional: initial clothing allowance: $365 ages 0-11; $618 ages 12-14; $698 ages 15-18. 12 Additional payment: initial clothing allowance $389 ages 0-11; $658 ages 12-14; $744 ages 15-18 13 Additional payments: infant allowance,$50 ages 0-2; annual clothing allowance: $150 ages 0-5; $200 ages 6-12; $250 ages 13+ 14 Additional payments: Clothing at $0.88 a day and special occasion allowances for Holiday, Back to School and Birthday paid 3 times a year - $50 ages 0-5; $58 ages 6-10; $67 ages 11-13; $100 ages 14-18.
3
05/07
New Jersey
Under age 1 $454
Age 1 $454
Age 2 $454
Age 3 $454
Age 4 $454
Age 5 $454
Ages 6-8 $489
Age 9 $489
Age 10 $510
Age 11 $510
Age 12 $510
Age 13 $564
Age 14 $564
Age 15 $564
Ages 16+ $564
Eff date 1/05
Ver. date 04/05
New Mexico15
$483
$483
$483
$483
$483
$483
$516
$516
$516
$516
$516
$542
$542
$542
$542
07/07
03/08
New York 16 North Carolina
Each of 58 local districts is allowed to set its own rates. The state only determines minimum. Maximum state aid rates for Metro/Upstate are: $504/ $504/ $504/ $504/ $504/ $504/ $594/ $594/ $594/ $459 $459 $459 $459 $459 $459 $553 $553 $553 $390 $390 $390 $390 $390 $390 $440 $440 $440
North Dakota Ohio
17
$360
the maximum amounts it will reimburse to the local districts; there is no $594/ $553 $440
$687/ $640 $440
$687/ $640 $490
$687/ $640 $490
$408
$687 $640 $490
04/07
$498
$498
$498
$498
04/07 04/07
$531
Each county sets its own minimum and maximum per diem rates, which range from $9.00 to $118.00. $365 $365 $365 $365 $365 $365 $430 $430 $430 $430 $430
Oklahoma18
$687/ $640 $490
11/06 9/06
04/07 11/06
04/06
04/07
Oregon
$387
$387
$387
$387
$387
$387
$402
$402
$402
$402
$402
$497
$497
$497
$497
Pennsylvania
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Rhode Island
$438
$438
$438
$438
$416
$416
$416
$416
$416
$416
$480
$480
$480
$480
$480
04/07
$425
11/06 11/06
South Carolina South Dakota
$332
$359
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$451
$542
$542
$542
$542
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$627
$737
$737
$737
$737
$737
11/06
04/07
Texas
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
$652
9/07
08/07
Utah
$456 $517
$456 $517
$456 $517
$456 $517
$456 $517
$456 $517
$456 $571
$456 $571
$456 $571
$456 $571
$487 $571
$487 $630
$487 $630
$487 $630
$517 $630
7/07
05/08 2005
$368 $374
$368 $374
$368 $374
$368 $374
$368 $374
$431 $374
$431 $451
$431 $451
$431 $451
$431 $451
$431 $525
$546 $525
$546 $525
$546 $525
$546 $525
07/07 7/06
08/07 07/07
Tennessee
19
Vermont Virginia20 Washington
15
Additional payments: annual clothing allowance $600; $50 birthday; $50 December holiday; $50-$100 back to school, depending on funding. Also available reimbursements, with prior approval: maximum $500 annual for extracurriculars; maximum $500 educational expenses ; $500 vacation 16 Additional payment: maximum state aid rates for clothing allowance $28.98 ages 0-5; $40.52 ages 6-11; $62.83 ages 12-15; $76.86 ages 16+; maximum state aid rate for diaper allowance $53 per month, ages 0-3. 17 18 19
20
See Source list for individual county rates. Additional payment: initial clothing allowance $100 ages 0-5; $150 ages 6-12; $200 ages 13+ If the child’s clothing is not adequate, additional amounts: $125 ages 0-2; $175 ages 3-4; $200 ages 5-12; $250 ages 13+ Additional payment: annual clothing allowance ages 0-4: $300; ages 5-12: $375; ages 13+: $450
4
West Virginia
Under age 1 $600
Age 1 $600
Age 2 $600
Age 3 $600
Age 4 $600
Age 5 $600
Ages 6-8 $600
Age 9 $600
Age 10 $600
Age 11 $600
Age 12 $600
Age 13 $600
Age 14 $600
Age 15 $600
Ages 16+ $600
Eff date 7/03
Ver. date 04/07
Wisconsin
$333
$333
$333
$333
$333
$363
$363
$363
$363
$363
$414
$414
$414
$432
$432
1/08
06/08
Wyoming
$645
$645
$645
$645
$645
$645
$664
$664
$664
$664
$664
$732
$732
$732
$732
7/06
05/07
Sources Alabama Alaska
personal communication, Andy Jackson personal communication, Izabel Bowers
Arizona Arkansas
www.de.state.az.us/dcyf/adoption/pdf/rates.pdf http://www.state.ar.us/dhs/chilnfam/Master%20Policy%20-%20Mar%201,%2002.PDF
California
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/getinfo/acl01/pdf/01-55.pdf
Colorado
personal communication, Mary Griffin
Connecticut
http://www.ct.gov/dcf/lib/dcf/foster_care/pdf/foster_care_rates.pdf
Delaware
http://www.state.de.us/kids/pdfs/fs_fostercare_model_2001.pdf
D.C.
NDAS
Florida
personal communication, Linda Johns, NAPCWA
Georgia
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/DHR-DFCS/DHR-DFCS_CCFA/FCCRates0605.pdf
Hawaii
http://www.hawaii.gov/dhs/main/har/har_current/17-0828.pdf
Idaho
http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/rules/idapa16/0601.pdf
Illinois
http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/fpChapter9.pdf
Indiana
NDAS
Iowa
http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/policyanalysis/PolicyManualPages/Manual_Documents/Forms/comm33.pdf
Kansas
NDAS
Kentucky
https://apps.chfs.ky.gov/pandp_process/foster_care_per_diem.htm
Louisiana
NDAS
Maine
personal communication, Martha A. Proulx, NAPCWA
Maryland
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/ssa/foster/cost.htm
5
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
personal communication, Shirley Brathwaite personal communication, Mary Chaliman http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/dhs_id_059849.pdf NDAS
Missouri
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section4/ch11/sec4ch11attacha.htm
Montana
NDAS, NAPCWA
Nebraska
NDAS
Nevada
NDAS (2002)
New Hampshire New Jersey
Personal communication, Gail DeGoosh
New Mexico
Personal communication, Mark Ruttkay
New York North Carolina
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/rates/FosterCare/Rates/
personal communication, Linda Holland
North Dakota
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/fostercare/index.htm, personal communication, Esther High NAPCWA
Ohio Oklahoma
http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/lpc/calendar/fileLINKNAME.asp?ID=FCASPL100 http://www.okdhs.org/NR/rdonlyres/89C5E099-4FF9-4F73-B2E4-7D4FBEB0F804/0/04AX003E.pdf
Oregon
http://www.dhs.state.or.us/policy/childwelfare/manual_1/i-e51.pdf
Pennsylvania
N/A
Rhode Island
http://www.dcyf.state.ri.us/questions/foster_care_questions.php#financial
South Carolina
NAPCWA
South Dakota
NAPCWA
Tennessee
http://state.tn.us/youth/dcsguide/policies/chap16/16.29%20Resource%20Home%20Board%20Rates.pdf
Texas
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/PCS/proposed_childcare_reimbursement.asp
Utah Vermont
http://www.hspolicy.utah.gov/dcfs/ NDAS
Virginia
personal communication, Tamara Temoney
Washington
Personal communication, Michael Luque
West Virginia
http://www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/children_adult/foster/policy/FC%20Policy%20Foster%20Adoptive%20Family%20Care%204%20upda ted%207-06.doc
DCFS Practice Guidelines, 300: Service Code List
6
Wisconsin
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/children/foster/progserv/Undrufcr.htm
Wyoming
Personal communication, D.Ward
7
